Finance for Non-Financial Managers

This 3-day Finance for Non-Financial Managers course is designed to equip participants with a strong foundation in financial management. The course covers a range of key financial concepts and tools that are crucial for decision making in a business setting. Whether you are a business owner, manager or aspiring executive, this course will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the financial arena.

The course focuses on the importance of finance in the business world, and participants will learn about financial jargon and accounting principles. They will also delve into the meaning of profit and loss accounts, balance sheets and cash flow statements, and learn how to evaluate the worth of a business. Participants will also explore ratio analysis, cost types, pricing strategies, budget basics, investment appraisal techniques and sources of financing. By the end of the course, participants will have a deep understanding of finance and be able to apply their knowledge to make informed financial decisions.

Course Outcomes

• Understanding the importance of finance and financial management in the business world.
• Familiarization with key financial statements and their interpretation, including the Profit and Loss Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement.
• Knowledge of accrual-based accounting and the calculation of depreciation and amortization.
• Ability to use ratio analysis and perform horizontal and vertical analysis to evaluate the financial health of a business.
• Understanding of cost types and the use of break-even analysis and pricing strategies to make informed business decisions.
• Familiarization with investment appraisal techniques and the various factors that affect investment decisions.
• Awareness of the various sources of financing and the impact of cash flow management on the overall financial health of a business.
• Development of the skills necessary to integrate financial concepts and policies into the management decision-making and budgeting process.a

Course Content

Overview

Introduction to Finance

• Overview of financial jargon and accounting principles
• Importance of accountability and responsibility for financial information

Understanding Key Financial Statements

• Analysis of Profit and Loss Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement
• Understanding the relationship between the Profit and Loss Account and the Balance Sheet
• Evaluation of shareholder equity

Analyzing Financial Data

• Understanding accrual-based accounting, depreciation and amortization
• Identifying causes of insolvency and using ratio analysis to evaluate financial performance
• Applying horizontal and vertical analysis

Cost Management and Pricing Strategies

• Understanding the types of expenses, including fixed and variable, and direct and indirect
• Applying break-even analysis to determine the point of profitability
• Evaluating pricing strategies, including markup vs. gross margin, upselling, and cross-selling

Budgeting and Investment Appraisal

• Introduction to budgeting basics and variance analysis
• Overview of investment appraisal techniques, including payback period, average rate of return, Net Present Value, and Internal Rate of Return
• Consideration of other factors affecting investment decisions

Sources of Financing

• Comparison of internal and external financing options, and short, medium, and long-term sources
• Factors affecting the choice of financing and analysis of borrowing vs. issuing shares

Cash Flow Management

• Understanding the relationship between cash flow, profit, and net worth
• Techniques for maximizing benefits and minimizing costs in cash management
• Techniques for generating unique insights from cash flow statements.

Training Methods

By all means, bring your pencil case, and yes, there will be handouts, but there will be a lot more discourse, debate, improvisation, role play, technology, practice, and group dynamics. The training will be conducted in a friendly, fun atmosphere, which not only allows for different learning styles but respects each delegate as an individual and ensures each one is challenged and derives maximum benefit from the course. Our aim is that you will be highly stimulated and encouraged to rethink.

Meet the Course Instructor

Clive has worked within the GCC for 24+ years over this span he has worked with multi-national, local companies and several government bodies as well as writing and delivering papers at the 3rd and 4th Middle East quality conferences. He has also had his work featured in The Chartered Banker magazine.

He has been active in all aspects of Finance and Management for over 40 years and is the Managing Director of a highly respected UK personal development company.

His clear communication style helps to make what can be very complex issues, simple and understandable with actionable ideas and recommendations.

Clive has developed and delivered a series of training programs across the Gulf region always giving the best results for his clients. With the tools he has developed along the way he has a wealth of knowledge and case studies to support his training courses.

His innovative thinking and techniques make him one of our most in-demand trainers in the GCC.